Bathory: par la chair et par le sang

Name: Bathory: par la chair et par le sang
Price: 30.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9782488302050

✍️ Orezza D'Antes

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$30.95

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A countess haunts Paris with blood-drinking dreams in this 1898 gothic tale.

The narrative follows Lord Sandingham as he navigates his obsession with Elizabetha Bathory. His physical decline is initially dismissed as a side effect of opium use. The author uses the contrast between his waking denial and his nocturnal terror to build suspense. The story explores the erosion of sanity when faced with an inexplicable threat. Sandingham's inability to find evidence of his injuries highlights the psychological horror at play. The plot moves from attraction to dread as his perception of reality fractures. D'Antes focuses on the internal experience of the victim rather than external action.

Key Themes

Hungarian countess Parisian nightlife supernatural dreams

Literary Context

The story is set in Paris during the winter of 1898. It draws on gothic traditions featuring a Hungarian noblewoman. The narrative reflects late nineteenth-century European fascination with the supernatural and exotic figures.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Bram Stoker · Shirley Jackson · Algernon Blackwood

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Editions Octoquill 📅 2025 🌐 non-English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9782488302050

📝 Description: Bathory: par la chair et par le sang

Orezza D'Antes presents a narrative set in Paris during the winter of 1898. The story centers on Elizabetha Bathory, a Hungarian countess who becomes a dominant figure in the capital's nocturnal society. Men are drawn to her beauty and unique aura, including Lord Sandingham, an adventurer known for his romantic pursuits. He finds himself unable to resist her influence despite his usual skepticism. Sandingham begins to weaken, attributing his fatigue to the opium he smokes. However, he is haunted by vivid dreams in which Bathory cuts his skin and drinks his blood. Each morning reveals no physical wounds, leading him to deny the supernatural nature of these visions. His reality eventually shifts when the boundary between dream and waking life collapses. This work appeals to readers interested in gothic fiction and supernatural horror set in late nineteenth-century Europe. It suits those who enjoy psychological tension and atmospheric dread. The book may not satisfy readers seeking historical non-fiction or fast-paced action. D'Antes constructs a tale that relies on the lingering fear of the unseen rather than explicit gore.

💎 Our verdict on Bathory: par la chair et par le sang

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

D'Antes crafts a compelling tale of psychological erosion set against the backdrop of 1898 Paris. The narrative excels in building tension through the protagonist's gradual loss of grip on reality. By contrasting waking denial with nocturnal terror, the author creates a pervasive sense of unease that lingers long after the dreams end. The focus on internal experience rather than plot mechanics defines its strength. While it may disappoint those seeking historical accuracy or fast-paced action, it succeeds brilliantly as a study of madness. The atmospheric dread is palpable, making it a suitable choice for connoisseurs of gothic literature who value mood and psychological depth over conventional storytelling resolutions.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate atmospheric dread and psychological horror will find this narrative deeply engaging. It appeals to those interested in gothic fiction where the terror stems from internal disintegration rather than external action. The book is ideal for audiences who enjoy exploring the friction between skepticism and supernatural belief. By focusing on the victim's perspective, it offers a nuanced look at how obsession and fear can fracture reality. Those who prefer lingering, unseen threats over explicit gore will appreciate the subtle construction of suspense.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

D'Antes crafts a compelling tale of psychological erosion set against the backdrop of 1898 Paris. The narrative excels in building tension through the protagonist's gradual loss of grip on reality. By contrasting waking denial with nocturnal terror, the author creates a pervasive sense of unease that lingers long after the dreams end. The focus on internal experience rather than plot mechanics defines its strength. While it may disappoint those seeking historical accuracy or fast-paced action, it succeeds brilliantly as a study of madness. The atmospheric dread is palpable, making it a suitable choice for connoisseurs of gothic literature who value mood and psychological depth over conventional storytelling resolutions.